Cataloging and Metadata Librarian

SUNY- Fashion Institute of Technology; New York (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in art and design education is seeking a Cataloging and Metadata Librarian to enhance the discovery of collections through original and complex cataloging. This role offers the opportunity to work collaboratively with library faculty and staff, implementing innovative services that enrich the academic experience. With a strong emphasis on professional development and community engagement, this position allows you to make a significant impact in a vibrant educational environment. If you are passionate about library services and metadata management, this is the perfect opportunity to grow your career.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of library experience with proficiency in cataloging practices.
• Expertise in AACR2, RDA, and MARC 21 format.
• Experience with metadata standards like Dublin Core and EAD.

Responsibilities

• Oversee cataloging practices and provide guidance to library staff.
• Develop and maintain workflows for cataloging and metadata management.
• Participate in library governance and strategic planning initiatives.

Skills

Cataloging Practices

Metadata Description

Research Skills

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Problem Solving

Education

MLS or MLIS from an ALA-accredited institution

Tools

OCLC Connexion

MarcEdit

Cataloger Desktop

Job description

Company Description:
The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), part of the State University of New York and an internationally renowned college of art, design, business and technology with a strong emphasis on liberal arts, invites nominations and applications for a Cataloging and Metadata Librarian in the Gladys Marcus Library.

The Fashion Institute of Technology, a part of the State University of New York, has been a leader in career education in art, design, business, and technology for nearly 70 years. With a curriculum that provides a singular blend of hands-on, practical experience, classroom study, and a firm grounding in the liberal arts, FIT offers a wide range of outstanding programs that are relevant to today’s rapidly changing industries. Internationally renowned, FIT draws on its New York City location to provide a vibrant, creative community in which to learn. The college offers more than 45 majors and grants AAS, BFA, BS, MA, MFA, and MPS degrees, preparing students for professional success and leadership in the global marketplace.

With close ties to industry, FIT draws faculty from the city’s art, business, and design elite, and from the rich academic community of the region. The college continually seeks creative faculty members who are passionate about their field and demonstrate exceptional professional capability in the core competencies of instruction design, learning enrichment, globalism, and use of technology, as well as mastery of established and emerging industry practices.

Job Description:

The FIT Library cultivates user-centered physical and virtual spaces that support and strengthen academic and creative pursuits. Our library creates a foundation for lifelong learning by teaching research and critical thinking skills that students carry beyond the classroom into careers. We build, organize, and preserve materials that support our curriculum, enhance our unique collections, and document the college’s history. We investigate, assess and implement innovative services and programs that measurably facilitate and enrich the learning experience.

The Cataloging & Metadata Librarian performs original and complex cataloging and metadata description in all formats to enhance the discovery of our collections, with a special emphasis on print collections. The position works collaboratively with other library faculty and staff in AMS, Periodicals and Electronic Resources, and Special Collections in the creation, organization, and maintenance of metadata, and provides guidance and training on best practices. Reports to the Head of Acquisitions & Metadata Services.

Responsibilities & Essential Functions:

Cataloging Collections Oversight

• Provide oversight and serve as the primary authority on cataloging practices; perform and advise on best practices for all types of cataloging.
• Perform original and complex copy cataloging for monographs, serials and Special Collections and College Archives (SPARC) materials (sketch collections, scrapbooks, monographs, college archives).
• Maintain currency with emerging current national and international standards for cataloging and metadata, including Resource Description Access (RDA), Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), Library of Congress Classification, Bibliographic Framework (BIBFRAME), linked data, and other appropriate standards.

Cataloging Management Oversight

• Conduct training and provide oversight; guidance to library staff performing copy cataloging or metadata activities.
• Develop, implement, and maintain workflows, procedures, and documentation for cataloging/metadata management.
• Serve as the point of contact for assigned subject areas and academic department liaisons in providing information and library services referrals.
• Review, evaluate and assess current library resources.
• Participate in the Library Liaison program by promoting services and resources with a special focus on digital initiatives; cultivate relationships and foster connections with classroom faculty.
• Review and utilize data and assessment methodologies to support evidence-based changes to services and programs.

Faculty Responsibilities and Professional Development

• Serve and participate in library-wide, team-driven, and working group meetings, library governance and campus-wide initiatives and committees.
• Participate in the Library’s Strategic Planning process and implement policies and procedures that support the Strategic Plan.
• Participate in curricular and pedagogical discussions by attending college-wide, school, and departmental meetings and share with Library colleagues.
• Maintain active membership in local, state, and national professional organizations and currency in the field.
• Cultivate and foster collaborative relationships with other institutions.
• Participate in the mentoring program for new librarians in other areas of the Library.
• Participate in professional development activities to maintain currency in professional competencies.
• Cross Unit Work and Special Assignments.

In addition to regular assignments at the Library Services Desk, the Cataloging & Metadata Librarian serves at any library service desk for coverage as required and is active in library teams. Special assignments include projects related to data migration, web content development and information architecture, library outreach and grant proposals, and others as required.

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position; other duties may be assigned consistent with the classification of the position.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• MLS or MLIS from an ALA-accredited institution.
• Minimum of five (5) years of library experience.
• Proficiency with AACR2, RDA, LC Classification and LC subject headings, and MARC 21 format.
• Demonstrated currency of MARC and non-MARC metadata formats standards and schema (e.g., Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS), Dublin Core (DC), Metadata Encoding and Transmission Standard (METS), Metadata Object Description Schema (MODS), Descriptive Cataloging of Rare Materials (DCRM), or Encoded Archival Description (EAD), etc.).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated professional original cataloging and metadata experience in an academic or research library.
• Demonstrated experience cataloging special collections materials.
• Demonstrated experience cataloging serials.
• Demonstrated experience working in an Alma/Primo VE environment.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proven experience in the utilization of tools such as OCLC Connexion, MarcEdit, and Cataloger Desktop to perform original and complex copy cataloging.
• Working experience with principles of authority control, including selecting and applying controlled vocabularies and ontologies to local collections.
• Demonstrated currency and application of new and emerging standards and technologies relevant to bibliographic control and metadata.
• Proven ability and excellent organizational skills to produce complex, analytical and detailed work products.
• Possess strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills; demonstrated ability to present and convey concepts and information to groups with varying levels of technical comprehension.
• Capacity to lead projects; demonstrated ability and flexibility to work with emerging and concurrent priorities; resourceful in problem solving and resolution.
• Proven ability to work independently and in a collegial, teamwork-oriented environment.
• Record of providing outstanding customer service to library patrons.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering a culturally diverse educational and work environment.